THE TORCH:
JUNE 2003 ON-LINE

THE BOTTOM
LINE

Hugh M. Spoljaric, President

Kingston Teachers’ Federation

“Fighting The Good Fight”

As is almost always the rule, the local
mouthpieces deciphered the school budget picture for the public. It’s always
‘those teachers’ and ‘their salary and benefits’ that is the root of the budget
problem. The state could fund education 100% and the same picture would be
painted. Corporate management types, including most media, despise labor and we
have few advocates. What we do have is knowledge, integrity, and each other. We
are always stronger together than we are apart. Our work is education and what’s
good for children and all people is good for us. Our work continues.

In Albany, as a member of the NYSUT
Committee of 100, I met with our area Senators and Assemblymen and thanked them
for their support in the veto override of the Governor’s cuts in education. It
was all of us in Albany on May 3 that made it happen. KTF members and spouses,
along with Board members Maureen Bowers and Chris Farrell, marched for education
and it succeeded. Then, it was on to the new concerns.

There is a bill to
make permanent the protections that prohibit school districts from diminishing
the level of health insurance coverage or their contribution toward its cost for
retirees, unless there is a corresponding cut for in-service employees. Last
week, the Governor signed the temporary Health Insurance Moratorium extender to
do the same thing. It remains in effect until May 15, 2004.

There are bills for a school safety
initiative that includes mandatory suspensions for repeatedly disruptive
students, authorization of involuntary transfers as a disciplinary option, and a
new penal classification for “aggravated harassment of a teacher.”

We need a moratorium on charter schools
until the state solves its public education funding crisis. The public funds are
needed in the public schools.

There is a bill to exclude core expenses,
those expenses beyond local control, from the contingency budget cap. There is
proposed legislation that recognizes the many fragile children in schools and
mandates a Registered Nurse in every school building.

This is what the KTF and NYSUT are all
about. It’s educational issues and its working together and sticking together to
make education better. Be proud to be a teacher!

And that’s the Bottom
Line.

BUDGET PASSES

The voters passed the Kingston Schools budget by a 2 to 1 margin on June 3 with
nearly 6,000 residents going to the polls. The new spending plan increases the
budget just over 6% and creates a tax levy of 11.6%.The Kingston Schools
faced the prospects of an austerity budget for the second year in a row. The
district had been looking at a tax levy of 14.9% before the state restored $3.1
million. Of that money, only $1.9 was dedicated to the tax levy. It was never
stated what the tax levy would have been if the entire $3.1 million had been
used or what the exact difference was between the new budget levy and the amount
needed under austerity.

Under a second consecutive year of austerity, 60 teachers, 31 ESP, 3 CSEA and 7
administrative positions would have been eliminated. All extra-curricular
activities would be eliminated and there would be no new textbook purchases.

KTF President Hugh Spoljaric contacted all reps and asked them to approach
their Principal about calling a special 10-minute meeting on Monday, June 2. In
a letter to the members, Spoljaric stated that it was important for members and
their families to support the budget. He said, “If the budget passes, it will be
because of us. If it goes down, it will not be because of our lack of effort.”

There is at least $500,000 of restored money that has not been earmarked.
Spoljaric stated, “Since we have lost so many positions and the voters have
approved the budget, that money should be dedicated to the restoration of
positions.”

The KTF Phone Banks, under
the guidance of Sandy Breitenberger and the work of Debbie Wilcox, made over
1500calls to NYSUTmembers who live in
the Kingston district.Ken Friednetworked with
parents and students on behalf of the KTF. Other KTF members worked through
their respective groups and departments to get the word out. Everyone did a
superb job! Thanks!

In the school board elections, incumbents Chris Farrell and Zelma Harrison
and newcomer DavidFletcher were elected to three-year terms.
George Farrell was defeated in his re-election bid.

THE LOSS
OF ‘BUTCH’ ZULLO

Emil ‘Butch’ Zullo, who retired in
2000, passed away on May 29, 2003. He had been battling multiple myeloma for the
past two years and had made steady progress after two stem cell transplants. One
transplant was for his blood and the cancer had gone into remission. The second
was a bone marrow transplant where his son, Todd, had been a highly compatible
match. His passing stunned many of his friends and colleagues.

During his 30 years in
the Kingston Schools, he developed the nationally recognized law-related
education program, Project CAPABLE. Butch was nationally respected as a leader
in the field of law-related education. Chief Judge Judith Kaye of the New York
State Court of Appeals appointed him as the only civilian member of the NYS Jury
Project. She said, “Emil recognized the importance of law-related education and
was doing it long before anyone else. He was a pioneer.” Both the NYS and the
National Council on the Social Studies cited project CAPABLE as a ‘Program of
Distinction’ in 1997. Essentially, the award said that the program was the best
Social Studies program in the United States. State Mock Trial Championships and
the formation of the Jefferson Committee at KHS were of particular significance
to him as they expressed his belief that citizenship is the basis of our
republic. He once said that all that was necessary for democracy to fail was for
“good men to do nothing.” Fellow teachers always said that he was ‘the voice of
reason’ in the settlement of concerns. KTF President Stu Spoljaric was mentored
by Butch and reflected that, “Butch followed his dreams and built alegacy emblematic of
the devoted teacher that he was.”

Butch served as a KTF
Building Rep for many years and was twice a member of the negotiating team. In
1996, NYSUT presented him with their Community Service Award for his work with
youth in the community. The Emil Zullo Courtroom at KHS was dedicated on January
30, 2003.

In lieu of flowers,
donations may be sent to The Emil F. Zullo Law Related Education Scholarship
Fund, PO Box 4461, Kingston, NY 12402. Additionally, the Hurley Historical
Society is planning on planting a tree in their Memory Garden. Donations to the
fund can be made to Hurley Heritage Society, attn. Joan Castka, Hurley, New
York 12443.

APPLE GALA

The
tenth annual APPLE GALA, honoring retirees, students, parents, and community
members, will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at Wiltwyck Golf Club. Gala tickets
and KTF Raffle tickets are available from Building Reps.

Those who retired last
summer will be honored this year along with new retirees. The list from last
year includes Michael Goodman, Steve Greenberg, Betty Hendrickson, Laura
Hilbert, Jim Marcinkowski, Kathleen Mayer, Fred McCoy, and Bob Moore.

This year’s Community
Honorees are Al and Dorothy Sorbello from the Wooden Wheels Roller Rink, Chief
City Court Judge Edward T. Feeney, former Kingston Assistant Superintendent Ken
Hyatt, and Ward Todd of WKNY.

KTF ELECTIONS

The biennial KTF elections were held
on May 29. The only contested position was for ESP Chapter President where
incumbent Joan White polled 37 votes to win over challenger James Habernig who
polled 24 votes. New officers include Lauri Naccarato as 1st Vice
President replacing Vince Voerg. Vince ran as an At-Large delegate after 12
years as the VP. Nancy Chando becomes the new Secretary replacing Lauri. Jen
O’Brien, who was an At-Large rep, now is a KHS rep replacing the retired Sandy
Breitenberger. The only unfilled position was the Building Rep at JFK where a
teacher is needed to replace Nancy.

All positions are for
two-year terms.

RELAY FOR LIFE

The rained out Relay
For Life has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 14, beginning at 12 noon to 12
midnight at Dietz Stadium. KTF members collected over $6,000 for this year’s
event. Any additional donations or luminaria may be sent to Suzanne Jordan at
JWB. See you there.

ESPecially IMPORTANT

The NYSUT Education and
Learning Trust, in cooperation with Ulster County Community College, will hold
an informal informational meeting on Wednesday, June 11, 4-6 pm in Vanderlyn
Hall on the UCCC campus. The purpose of the meeting will be to inform all
para-professionals and teaching assistants about an 18 hour course leading to
meeting state certification mandates that come into effect in 2003-04 for those
working in Title I schools. Refreshments will be served. Contact your ESP rep
for more information.

KUDOS andSUMMER LEARNING

Eric Koch, (KHS-Math)
has been named as the WalMart Regional Teacher of the Year.

The Mid-Hudson Law
Institute will be held at Bard College, June 30-July 3. The four-day event is
co-sponsored by the Mid-Hudson Teachers’ Center and participants will be
eligible for 20 seat hours of in-service credit. Applications are due now.
Contact Bob Donaldson at Rhinebeck High School at 876-7305.

Kathleen Fancher, a
two-time Fulbright scholar, has made it a third time and willspend six-weeks this
summer as a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to New Zealand. She will be
studying Polynesian mythology and the culture of the Maoris.

KTF President Hugh
Spoljaric has been awarded two scholarships for the study of Constitutional Law
and the First Amendment. He will be at Utah State University for a week where
the institute includes a study of international law. Later, he will attend a
weeklong institute at the University of Missouri. Only 30 applicants were
selected nationwide for each institute.

LETTERS

Dear Editor,

I wanted to thank and
acknowledge KTF for all you did to make Saturday’s rally possible for the
Kingston School District and community. The bus, the lunch, and the camaraderie
were very much appreciated. Thank you for your generosity, and your continued
commitment to our children and their education.

Sincerely,

Maureen
Bowers

Thank You !!!

To All Members of the
Kingston City Schools

As many of you know, my
son, Greg Waltman, was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2001. Greg needed to
undergo a bone marrow transplant. Greg received that transplant one year ago
and that transplant cured Greg of his leukemia. Several weeks ago we were able
to celebrate Greg’s eighteenth birthday.

All during the medical
treatments, Greg spoke of his determination to return to “his” high school and
to graduate with “his” calss on time. I, being his mother, watched in awe as
Greg battled to keep this promise. With the help of so many, Greg’s promise
will be a reality this June.

We would like to thank all
of you, with all our hearts, for all your help. Many of you donated ‘sick days’
so I could remain with Greg during those lengthy hospital stays. Those days
were true gifts of life. We thank you for your prayers, well wishes, generous
donations, and of course, for all of your acts of kindness. All of you have
helped us remain strong and focused.

All of your efforts helped
save Greg’s life. He and I know how truly fortunate we are to be members of the

community called Kingston
City Schools!!

With All Our Thanks,

Teresa and Greg Waltman

TRUST AMENDMENTS
and MODIFICATIONS

The Trustees of the Kingston Trust Fund
have a fiduciary responsibility to the Trust’s health plan. As a result of
changes in the health care industry and impacts on the plan, the following
amendments and modifications have been adopted and are effective July 1, 2003.

BODY SCANS-Special
Rules: Member’s coinsurance portion of the cost will be credited towards any
deductible or out of pocket limit under this plan.

WEIGHT LOSS:PPO/OOA:100%
after $15 co-pay(OOA based on UCR),80% NPPO.

*OOA status does
not apply to foreign residence, except as approved. Generally, where the NPPO is
covered 80%, the OOA will be covered to 90%.

Rx BENEFITS:
First three (3) prescriptions, $5 generic, $15 Brand for 30 day supply. ANY
Rx AFTER 3rd REFILL WILL BE SUBJECT TO HIGHER COPAYS UNLESS FILLED BY
MAIL ORDER: 25% COPAY FOR GENERIC AND BRAND DRUGS AFTER 3rd REFILL.
Call NHAI for Vacation Overrides and any variances on prescriptions.

MAIL ORDER: $10 co-pay Generic, $25 co-pay Brand
for 93 day supply.

BIRTH CONTROL:
Covered same as any other Rx.

INFERTILITY:
Must be enrolled in Infertility/IVF Program. Max: two live births through
program.

MAJOR MEDICAL Rx:
PPO= 90%, OOA= 90%, NPPO=80%

INJECTABLES:
Certain injections (i.e., aids medication), covered as Major Medical and
pre-authorized, must be paid for by the member and a claim submitted for
reimbursement

Rx COORDINATION of BENEFITS:
The plan will pay the portion of the out of pocket expense under the primary
plan LESS whatever co-pay would have been paid under the plan. The out of pocket
expense under the primary plan must be at least $25 or more for any Rx to be
considered under the COB provisions of this plan.

MENTAL/ADDICTIVE:
All Mental Health benefits will be provided under the NHAB as the exclusive
provider for mental, nervous, and addictive treatment.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE OUTPATIENT:
PPO=100% after NHAB co-pay while in compliance. Otherwise, benefits will be
limited to 50% after the NHAB co-pay and the patient will be responsible for the
balance. Benefits limited to $5000/year.

FAILURE TO COMPLY-Outpatient
Addictive Treatment Program: will result in termination of that program. This
includes any requirement for drug testing. If an individual continues to abuse
drugs and/or alcohol while attending a treatment program, the program is doomed
to failure. This situation will be treated the same as though the individual had
been admitted for detoxification. An inpatient treatment program will be
required to be completed to insure complete detoxification before providing
approval for outpatient treatment. Outpatient programs are subject to submission
of a treatment plan and pre-approval. As a condition of participation in an
outpatient treatment program without first completing an inpatient program, the
patient may be required to submit to periodic drug testing. After two negative
tests, approval of the treatment program will be suspended and further
outpatient treatment will not be covered until the patient completes a
detoxification program inpatient and is medically and mentally capable of
transferring to an outpatient program. No substance abuse treatment program will
achieve any level of success until the patient is willing to discontinue their
abusive behavior and agrees to remain in compliance with the terms of the
treatment program.

FAILURE TO COMPLETE-In-Patient
program for substance abuse penalty: Your co-pay will be increased by 20% and
the plan benefits will be decreased by 20% if you do not complete or refuse to
complete any addictive or substance abuse treatment program in its entirety,
including premature discharge against medical advice. If the continuing care
program following any confinement program is not completed, the basic plan
co-pay for any second or third treatment will be reduced by 10%. The plan co-pay
for the second treatment is reduced from 70% to 80%.

You must successfully complete an aftercare
program after the first episode of inpatient care to be eligible for further
coverage.

Appliances on the cheap--- A kitchen sink and everything else for 100 bucks to
the taker in mid-June. Call me and I will call you when they are ready to be
picked up: 16 year old GE appliances- 27 inch oven,27 inch microwave, a dishwasher, and a
double stainless steel sink – all are working. Winner takes all. Mary Leonard
338-0216. Ready around the second week in June.

FOR SALE

Vacation Home:
3 bedroom, year-round home, on Oneida Lake. Large lot with 100 foot lake
frontage and boat dock, new heating system with air conditioner. 20 minutes to
the Turning Stone Casino or City of Syracuse. $179,000. Please call evenings
331-5276.

Newly Renovated Vacation Home

For Rent

Quaint Cape Cod Cottage
in South Yarmouth, Mass. Centrally located in quiet residential area near
shopping, 10 minutes from the bay and sound. The home includes 2 bedrooms, 1
bath, living room, kitchen, small sunroom, additional outdoor shower, washer and
dryer. Beautifully decorated. No children or pets please. Perfect for two
couples. Available June through September. $800 per week. Call Barbara
Darbin Tolfson at 339-4547 after 4pm.